ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5193, 26 December 1884, Page 4

ST JOHN THE BAPTIST.

A very distinctive feature of the decorations at the Church of St John the Baptist, Latimer square, was the extremely liberal use made of ferns. Small tree ferns in tubs and a great quantity of other species in pots nearly filled the chancel; others were placed in the window recesses and along the passages leading from the north and south doorways to the main aisle. The font, too, was surrounded with them, and filled with flowers surmounted by a large fern, whose fronds dropped gracefully over the rest of the foliage. A heavy wreath of green leaves outlined the arche3 of the windows, and two large red and white floral crosses were hung on the blank wall on either side of the chancel arch. The loctem, choir stalls, and pulpit were adorned with flowers, white lilies aud scarlet geraniums being made use of very largely. The communion rails were also ornanented with wreaths and Soweis. There was a good congregation at the 11 o'clock service on Christmas Eve, when ,a number of carols were>sung and an address was given by the rev incumbent. The 11 o'clock service on Christmas morning was full choral, Tallis in F being used. The anthem was, " Let us now go even unto Bethlehem " ; hymns 59 (processional), 60, and 464, Ancient and Modern, were sung, and the sermon wa3 preached by the incumbent, the Rev H. C. M. Watson, from St John i. chap/, 14 v. Evening sei vice was held at 7 p.m.